Buckwheat and Pepper Jack Waffles

Sharing is caring!

Buckwheat and Pepper Jack Waffles are nutty in flavor with a hint of spice from the Cabot pepper jack cheese.  They’re perfect topped with poached eggs and hollandaise or rarebit sauce.

This post is sponsored in conjunction with #BrunchWeek. I received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the #Brunchweek recipes. All opinions are mine alone.

 

Last year or the year before last I can’t remember, I had this recipe on the list to make.  It was a total failure.  They were like hockey pucks and really not edible.  Of course, they weren’t a yeasted version, which might have something to do with it.

 

So, this year when I saw we were getting the amazing Red Star Platinum yeast, I knew I had to put these on the menu this year.  That yeast, if you haven’t worked with it, is AMAZING!  Truly is amazing.  Making anything with that yeast is so easy.  It proofs perfectly, forms the best gluten, and is truly the best yeast I’ve ever used.  I don’t think I can say enough about it except I wish I could find it in my local store!

 

*sigh*

 

 

Many many years ago in my life BH (before the hubs) when I had a different spouse, I bought this mix for buckwheat pancakes and waffles.  I was – who am I fooling!?  I will forever be looking for and trying new things.  Like that red rice I learned about from this weekend’s post.

 

I had buckwheat pancakes on a trip somewhere and thought they tasted rich, nutty, and delicious.  Consequently, when I stumbled on this box of mix I knew I had to purchase it and try them.  And they were rich, nutty, and delicious just like the ones I had at the restaurant.  Mmmmm oh so good.

 

Fast forward many years later and Mom gave me some buckwheat flour when she moved.  Wow has it been that long?  I’ve had this bag of buckwheat flour in my pantry for a couple of years in an airtight container, mind you, so it’s perfectly fine.  It’s been screaming at me to make some buckwheat waffles.  This year, I tried again so it would stop screaming at me!!

 

 

Unlike last year, I went with a yeast batter for these waffles.  Buckwheat can be a little dense if you’re not careful and I thought the airiness of adding yeast to the batter would keep them from turning into hockey pucks again.  And I was right!  Especially with that awesome Red Star Platinum yeast.

 

Of course, when you’re going with a savory waffle, it’s always a good idea to add some cheese.  Heck.  It’s always good to add some cheese no matter what you’re making!!  That’s my motto anyway.  Since Cabot sent us a lively assortment of their delicious cheese I knew some would be fated for these waffles.

 

Cabot always sends the most delicious assortment of their cheese.  I’ve been eating Cabot since before it was in stores here.  My sister lived in Vermont and I was blessed with being able to purchase BLOCKS of it to bring home.  That Vermont cheddar, if you haven’t had it, is the best flavor by far.  Though that Alpine is pretty darned good, too!

 

 

The hubs said to me after bringing in the Cabot cheddar package for #BrunchWeek, “This is the only package I’m excited to see this week.”  No offense to the rest of the sponsors!  He’s just a cheese fiend!  He loved the recipe I made last year with Cabot.  That Cheddar French Toast with Crab Hollandaise was pretty darned fabulous, if I may say so myself!

 

This year we got some spicy cheese!

 

Initially, I was going to put the habanero cheddar in these waffles, but tasted it beforehand.  That’s when I decided some of the recipients of these waffles might not appreciate that.  I’ll have to save that cheese for us to eat.  If you like spicy, it’s the best combination of Cabot and spicy.

 

I lowered the spice factor and added their pepper jack to these waffles.  It has the perfect little spice and all that rich, Cabot flavor.  It is the creamiest cheese!!  And truly addicting.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

 

 

The combination of the Red Star yeast and the Cabot Pepper jack make for the most delicious, savory, buckwheat waffles I’ve ever had!  Yes, even at a restaurant.  They’re tender, rich, nutty, and full of Pepper jack flavor.

 

And, as if it wasn’t enough that there’s cheese on the inside, I thought it would be a great idea to put some of the cheese on the outside, too!  So, I sprinkled some Cabot pepper jack onto the waffle grid, poured the batter over it, then sprinkled a little more on top to have that crispy cheese crusted on both sides of the waffle.

 

Yup.  That’s what you’re seeing in those photographs right there; the pepper jack crust!  I know.  I’m brilliant, right?  It was like a eureka moment right there!  I loved how the cheese crust made that French toast taste scrumptious least year and thought I’d try it again this year.  You be the judge.

 

 

Tell me you’re not drooling!

 

Seriously.  I’m drooling and I have them for breakfast today!  I can’t wait to taste that nutty buckwheat flavor and that kicked up pepper jack cheese.  Top these with some poached eggs and your favorite hollandaise or béarnaise sauce.  Or queso!  You could totally turn these into the base for a delicious southwest breakfast topped with salsa and more delicious Cabot pepper jack!

 

Have you tried the Cabot habanero cheese?  Are you looking forward to trying the Red Star platinum yeast?

Take a look at what the #BrunchWeek Bloggers are creating today!

Beverages:

• Apple Berry Smoothie from The Nifty Foodie

Breads, Grains and Pastries:

• Buckwheat and Pepper Jack Waffles from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
• Cinnamon Apple Dutch Baby from Palatable Pastime
• Iced Berry Breakfast Braid from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Raspberry Sweet Rolls from Cookaholic Wife

Main Dishes:

• Asparagus, Egg & Prosciutto Brunch Pizza from Love and Confections

Fruits, Vegetables and Sides:

• Green Bean and Potato Salad from A Day in the Life on the Farm

Desserts:

• Mini Rustic Apple Pies from Forking Up

Disclaimer: Thank you to #BrunchWeek Sponsors: Red Star Yeast, Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Nielsen-Massey, Rainier Fruit, and Michigan Asparagus for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for #BrunchWeek recipes. All opinions are my own.